Sam Corne captivates George Elokobi more than Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

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Maidstone supervisor George Elokobi says he has watched Sam Corne’s FA Cup third-round winner extra occasions than he has seen clips of Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.

Elokobi is bidding to make additional historical past with the Nationwide League South aspect this weekend after guiding them into the fourth spherical of the competitors for the primary time for the reason that membership reformed in 1992.

The sixth-tier Stones – the lowest-ranked crew remaining within the competitors – journey to Sky Wager Championship high-fliers Ipswich on Saturday lunchtime after Corne’s decisive penalty arrange a 1-0 success over League One Stevenage.

Elokobi, a former Premier League defender with Wolves, desires his gamers to proceed revelling within the nationwide highlight going right into a televised tie with the Tractor Boys.

“I’m excited for your entire neighborhood: Maidstone as a complete, our soccer membership, clearly our house owners, extra so for our gamers, who’re historical past makers,” mentioned the 37-year-old.

“It’s an ideal event, a historic second for all of them.

“They went on the market believing that they might trigger the massive upset within the FA Cup third spherical and grow to be historical past makers.

“I do know the pitch obtained invaded however simply to see the younger girls and boys that ran on the pitch epitomises every part about what our soccer membership means to our neighborhood.

“It was the sheer magnitude of the media protection after that sport.

“I should have watched Sam Corne greater than I’ve watched Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi in my time!

“That’s simply what it meant as a result of each TV programme, or most TV programmes, it was all about Maidstone United Soccer Membership and it simply reveals what our group of gamers have achieved.”

Maidstone will likely be roared on by slightly below 4,500 followers at Portman Highway.

They return to Suffolk having crashed out to seventh-tier Needham Market – a membership positioned round 9 miles north-west of Ipswich – within the fourth qualifying spherical final season.

The Kent membership, who’re captained by former Arsenal defender Gavin Hoyte, have performed six fixtures to succeed in this stage, together with knocking out League Two Barrow earlier than upsetting Stevenage.

Elokobi added: “We’re going to a particular membership in Ipswich City and what’s to not love about that? What’s to not have fun about it?

“We simply need our gamers to go there, take pleasure in competing in opposition to Championship professionals and luxuriate in showcasing their abilities and ensuring they do themselves proud and your entire Maidstone neighborhood.

“We all know the magnitude of the sport, we all know how good they’re by way of the respect we’re going to indicate them.”

Maidstone’s spell within the limelight comes 32 years after the membership have been liquidated amid spiralling money owed and later reborn.

Along with the wholesome travelling help, the Stones may also have loads of backing in Elokobi’s native Cameroon.

“Once we beat Barrow, it made nationwide information in Cameroon,” he mentioned.

“The messages I’ve been getting has been overwhelming, they’ve come through textual content messages, they’ve gone by means of the social media platforms.

“I’ve even had calls from the British Cameroonian consulate in England as nicely, in order that tells you the magnitude of what I’m doing.

“I’m the primary Cameroonian to have ever managed an English outfit, not to mention be within the fourth spherical of the FA Cup as a supervisor.

“However it’s not nearly me.

“It’s going to an unbelievable day for everybody linked to myself and Maidstone United Soccer Membership.”